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Chicago Bulls: 5 reasons Lauri Markkanen NBA’s next superstar

By Andrew Miller

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 08: Lauri Markkanen #24 of the Chicago Bulls reacts during the second half of the game against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on February 08, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 08: Lauri Markkanen #24 of the Chicago Bulls reacts during the second half of the game against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on February 08, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
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BROOKLYN, NY – FEBRUARY 8: Lauri Markkanen #24 of the Chicago Bulls shoots the ball against the Brooklyn Nets on February 8, 2019 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
BROOKLYN, NY – FEBRUARY 8: Lauri Markkanen #24 of the Chicago Bulls shoots the ball against the Brooklyn Nets on February 8, 2019 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

3. Double-double machine

When Lauri Markkanen is able to command the paint, there’s not much that most opposing bigs can do about it. Any seven-footer like Markkanen that has the mobility, wingspan, and underrated leaping ability that he brings to the table is hard to defend and keep off the glass. That should only be increasingly more impactful for Markkanen and the Bulls.

The rebounding ability and efficiency of Markkanen in the paint is evident by the fact that he leads the Bulls in defensive rebounding percentage and ranks in the top three on the team among the regular starters in total rebounding percentage. Part of the reason why Markkanen doesn’t have a better offensive rebounding percentage is how many looks he has from deep.

Many times Markkanen doesn’t even get the opportunity to reel in offensive boards. That role was reserved more for players like Portis and Robin Lopez. Chicago has yet to buy out Lopez, but it could happen soon enough. With both those players either already or potentially out the door in the Windy City, the double-doubles could start becoming more frequent for Markkanen.

While Markkanen isn’t best set for a player that exclusively works down low, his offensive rebounding percentage should go way up if the Bulls decide to buy out Lopez. Even though he missed pretty much the entire first-fifth of the regular season, Markkanen already has double-double outings in the double-digits following his 31 and 18 performance against the Nets.

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